0:00:10 > 0:00:15# God save our gracious Queen
0:00:15 > 0:00:21# Long live our noble Queen
0:00:21 > 0:00:26# God save the Queen
0:00:26 > 0:00:31# Send her victorious
0:00:31 > 0:00:35# Happy and glorious
0:00:35 > 0:00:40# Long to reign over us
0:00:40 > 0:00:46# God save the Queen. #
0:00:49 > 0:00:5160 years ago today,
0:00:51 > 0:00:56a young woman spoke about the speed of technological change.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00She presented the first television broadcast of its kind.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04She described the moment as a landmark.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Television has made it possible for many of you to see me
0:01:10 > 0:01:12in your homes on Christmas Day.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18My own family often gather round to watch television,
0:01:18 > 0:01:22as they are at this moment, and that is how I imagine you now.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Six decades on, the presenter has evolved somewhat,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31as has the technology she described.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37Back then, who could've imagined that people would one day be watching this
0:01:37 > 0:01:41on laptops and mobile phones, as some of you are today.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47But I'm also struck by something that hasn't changed.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51That, whatever the technology, many of you will be watching this at home.
0:01:53 > 0:01:59We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love,
0:01:59 > 0:02:03of shared stories and memories, which is perhaps why
0:02:03 > 0:02:07at this time of year so many return to where they grew up.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12There is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18For many, the idea of home reaches beyond a physical building
0:02:18 > 0:02:20to a home town or city.
0:02:21 > 0:02:27This Christmas, I think of London and Manchester, whose powerful identities
0:02:27 > 0:02:32shone through over the past 12 months in the face of appalling attacks.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38In Manchester, those targeted included children
0:02:38 > 0:02:41who had gone to see their favourite singer.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46A few days after the bombing, I had the privilege
0:02:46 > 0:02:49of meeting some of the young survivors and their parents.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- So you'd come specially for the concert, had you?- Yeah.- Mm-hm.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- It was a birthday present. - Oh, was it? Oh, right.
0:02:57 > 0:02:58Very scary.
0:03:00 > 0:03:06- Very wicked.- Mmm.- And to target that sort of thing, you know.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10- Yeah. Yeah, it's awful, but hopefully they'll mend.- Yes.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12We'll get better.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15It's very interesting how everybody has united, haven't they, here?
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- Well, it's been amazing, really. - Mmm.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22I describe that hospital visit as a privilege
0:03:22 > 0:03:26because the patients I met were an example to us all,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29showing extraordinary bravery and resilience.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Indeed, many of those who survived the attack
0:03:34 > 0:03:38came together just days later for a benefit concert.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42It was a powerful reclaiming of the ground,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46and of the city those young people call home.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52We expect our homes to be a place of safety, sanctuary even,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54which makes it all the more shocking
0:03:54 > 0:03:57when the comfort they provide is shattered.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03A few weeks ago, the Prince of Wales visited the Caribbean
0:04:03 > 0:04:08in the aftermath of hurricanes that destroyed entire communities.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11And here in London,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15who can forget the sheer awfulness of the Grenfell Tower fire?
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who died
0:04:21 > 0:04:24and those who lost so much,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27and we are indebted to members of the emergency services
0:04:27 > 0:04:32who risked their own lives this past year saving others.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37Many of them, of course, will not be at home today
0:04:37 > 0:04:39because they are working to protect us.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Reflecting on these events makes me grateful
0:04:43 > 0:04:46for the blessings of home and family,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49and in particular for 70 years of marriage.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54I don't know that anyone had invented the term "platinum"
0:04:54 > 0:04:57for a 70th wedding anniversary when I was born.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00You weren't expected to be around that long.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05Even Prince Philip has decided it's time to slow down a little,
0:05:05 > 0:05:09having, as he economically put it, "done his bit".
0:05:10 > 0:05:13But I know his support and unique sense of humour
0:05:13 > 0:05:16will remain as strong as ever,
0:05:16 > 0:05:20as we enjoy spending time this Christmas with our family
0:05:20 > 0:05:24and look forward to welcoming new members into it next year.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32In 2018, I will open my home to a different type of family -
0:05:32 > 0:05:35the leaders of the 52 nations of the Commonwealth,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39as they gather in the UK for a summit.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44The Commonwealth has an inspiring way of bringing people together,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47be it through the Commonwealth Games -
0:05:47 > 0:05:51which begin in a few months' time on Australia's Gold Coast -
0:05:51 > 0:05:52or through bodies like
0:05:52 > 0:05:55the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra & Choir,
0:05:55 > 0:06:00a reminder of how truly vibrant this international family is.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Today, we celebrate Christmas,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09which itself is sometimes described as a festival of the home.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Families travel long distances to be together.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20Volunteers and charities, as well as many churches, arrange meals
0:06:20 > 0:06:25for the homeless and those who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27We remember the birth of Jesus Christ
0:06:27 > 0:06:31whose only sanctuary was a stable in Bethlehem.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37He knew rejection, hardship and persecution,
0:06:37 > 0:06:41and yet it is Jesus Christ's generous love and example
0:06:41 > 0:06:45which has inspired me through good times and bad.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Whatever your own experiences this year,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53wherever and however you are watching,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57I wish you a peaceful and very happy Christmas.
0:07:09 > 0:07:15# It came upon the midnight clear
0:07:15 > 0:07:20# That glorious song of old
0:07:20 > 0:07:26# From angels bending near the earth
0:07:26 > 0:07:31# To touch their harps of gold
0:07:31 > 0:07:34# Peace on the earth
0:07:34 > 0:07:36# Goodwill to men
0:07:36 > 0:07:42# From heaven's all gracious King
0:07:42 > 0:07:47# The world in solemn stillness lay
0:07:47 > 0:07:53# To hear the angels sing
0:08:16 > 0:08:21# For lo, the days are hastening on
0:08:21 > 0:08:26# By prophet bards foretold
0:08:26 > 0:08:32# When, with the ever-circling years
0:08:32 > 0:08:37# Comes round the age of gold
0:08:37 > 0:08:43# When peace shall over all the earth
0:08:43 > 0:08:48# Its ancient splendours fling
0:08:48 > 0:08:54# And the whole world give back the song
0:08:54 > 0:09:00# Which now the angels sing. #